Method of electric formation of oxides of nitrogen



Sept. 28 1926. 1,601,500

J. s. ISLAND METHOD OF ELECTRIC FORMATION OF OXIDES 0F NITROGEN Filed August 18, 1924 Inventor. /Q 11151444 v 2% M/QW Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

JAMES E. ISLAND, OF MERRITTON, ONTARIO, CANADA.

METHOD OF ELECTRIC FORMATION OF OXIDES OF NITROGEN.

Application filed August 18, 1924. Serial No. 732,738.

The principal object of the invention is to obtain the maximum yield of oxides of nitrogen in the electric fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and to accomplish-the de- 5 sired result in a simple and inexpensive manner.

The principal feature of the invention consists in the novel method of transformin a portion of the current flowing to the elec- 10 trodes of an oxidizing apparatus and; effecting a substantial increase in the frequency thereof to more nearly harmonize with the natural frequency of the atoms of oxygen and nitrogen.

5 The drawing is a diagrammatic illustration of my method.

Many different methods and forms of apparatus have been devised for the formation of oxides of nitrogen or as it is sometimes called the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and the air has been brought into contact with an electric flame under various conditions.

The present invention purposes the application of new conditions to the electric.

current applied to the electrodes. In the diagram illustrating the invention the electrodes constitute a stationary annular electrode A and a rotatable central electrode B, between which is formed an annulus of electric flame which is blown into a tubular form by the flow of air therebetween.

The electric leads 1 and 2 of the electrodes A and B respectively are tapped by.

the wires 3 and 4 and these wires are connected in the manner shown, to the primary and secondary coils 5 and 6 respectively. of the transformer which steps up the current from a normal commercial voltage, such as one thousand volts, voltage, say six thousand volts, and say at sixty cycles. 7

The wire 4 is connected to one end of the primary 5 and wire 3 is connected to the other end. The secondary 6 is connected to the wire 3 and back to the wire 4 through the wire 7 and condenser 8.

The frequency of the secondary circuit is multiplied by the introduction of an interrupter 9 which is placed in a shunt 10 between the wires 3 and 7 and the result of the operation of this interrupter, which is rotated at high speed, say approximately to a higher.

4000 R. P. M. and which contains a number of contacts, is to produce a frequency of about 80,000 cycles per second. This cur rent flowing through the condenser to the electrodes produces a frequency which has the effect of very greatly increasing the amount of oxides of nitrogen produced for g a given flow of current, by increasing the vibrations to be closer in harmony with the natural inherent vibrations of the atoms of the air.

The method herein described is extremely simple to apply but most extraordinary results have been achieved.

What I claim as my invention is 1. A method of electric formation of oxides of nitrogen..consisting in producing an electr1c arc with a commercial frequency current by the introduction of the high fre-v quency current into the circuit and directing a flow of air through the zone of the arc. 2. method of electric formation of ox- 1des of nitrogen. consisting in utilizing a commercial frequency current connected to the electrodes of an are producing device by tapping the main line circuit to the electrodes for producing the oxidizing arc and creating a high frequency current in the tapped-circuit and directing a flow of air through the zone of the arc.

3. A method of electric formation of oxides of nitrogen, consisting in utilizing a commercial frequency current by tapping the leads to the electrodes of an. oxidizing apparatus connected with said commercial frequency circuit and introducing a transformer in the subsidiary circuit and arranging a high frequency interrupter in a shunt in the secondary winding of the transformer connecting the high frequency current to the main circuit and directing a flow of air past the electrodes. v

4. Means for the electric formation of oxides of nitrogen, comprising the combination with circular electrodes, of a pair of taps leading from the main current supply leads, a transformer having its primary connected with said taps, and its secondary connected to one of said taps and returned 

